Vita

Biography

I am primarily interested in language learning that takes place outside of the classroom (i.e., informal learning). My research has focused on untutored learning by university students living and studying abroad, international interns, missionaries, and families relocated abroad for work and other purposes. I try to determine factors that contribute to informal language use and acquisition with the goals of providing guidance for students and language programs and of supporting sound policy planning. I am also interested in motivation, emotion, and affect and second language acquisition and in physiological and psychological responses to being immersed in a second language abroad. Finally, I am interested in the role of social networking and social support in the transition abroad and in second language acquisition.

Degrees

PhD, Second Language Acquisition, Carnegie Mellon University M.A., Language Acquisition (Japanese), Brigham Young University B.A., Japanese, Brigham Young University

Interests

Second Language Acquisition and Teaching

Motivation in Language Acquisition and Teaching

Social Networks and Language Acquisition

Language Testing

Study abroad and Experiential Learning

Interplay between Cognitive, Linguistic, Psychological and Physiological Factors during SLA